CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013 Nissan Altima has multiple problem trends including the CVT transmission, and now that this model is out of warranty, it earns our "Avoid Like The Plague" badge.

Owners complain about vibration and transmission failure related to the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), a whining noise from the power steering pump, and constant windshield problems that appear to be the result of poor design.

Be warned: the 2014 & 2015 Nissan Altima appears to share these same problems.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,532 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Nissan Altima steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #89

Jan 032023

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My power steering somehow had a slow leak which caused steering wheel to lock on while driving. Also, when I turn it sounds like a clucking sound like something is wrong with my power train. When I drive my accelerator seems like it be taking its time to catch up to speed. I've done did so much mechanical work to this car and it seems like nothing is working.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #88

Apr 142023

Altima

  • miles
.

- Southfield, MI, USA

problem #87

Aug 262022

Altima

  • miles
Loud whining noise when I turn the wheel

- Encinitas, CA, USA

problem #86

Jun 012022

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Nissan's right passenger side lower rearward control arm broke as I was driving and I lost control of the car and steered to the side of the road. I was lucky no car was near me or it would have been tragic. Nissan should be forced to recall all the cars with this faulty part before life is lost.

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

problem #85

Apr 012022

Altima 4-cyl

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle jerked to the right with the traction control warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the rear passenger-??s side tire was tilted in. Due to the failure, the contact called a tow truck and it was discovered that the rear control arm had corroded. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who linked the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V494000 (Steering, Suspension) and referred her to the dealer for assistance. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

- Zimmerman, MN, USA

problem #84

Feb 052022

Altima

  • miles
I took my car in for an alignment and the mechanic discovered excessive and sever corrosion on the lower suspension link in the rear, the corrosion is so bad that the entire subframe is holding on by a corroded approximately 1/2 inch section, one bump and the entire rear end of the vehicle will fall off. This car is less than 10 years old, has 80,000 miles on it and is for the most part kept in a garage. The corrosion is so bad that the car has been deemed unsafe to drive. Individuals who are experts in automotive parts have indicated that the corrosion that has occurred would be expected for a car that is over 50 years old and has been sitting in water or subjected to extreme use of salt/water/road chemicals to corrode to the degree that this entire unit is showing. I found that Nissan has put in place a "warranty extension to replace this exact part of the lower rear suspension due to excessive corrosion for the year/make/model of car I am reporting, however Nissan is refusing to honor that on my car simply because my VIN number didn't show up as one that should be experiencing this KNOWN issue. Searching the internet I have found hundreds of people that have had their back end fall off while driving due to this corrosion, ALL are same year, make and model. I will attach photos that show the extensive corrosion that is on the lower rear link of my 2013 Altima, reflecting that my car is in fact impacted by the very issue that Nissan supposedly was voluntarily extending the warranty on in an effort to prevent having to do a recall. Based on my brief internet review with a simple Google search this part is DEFECTIVE on more cars than Nissan is covering and someone is going to die as a result of Nissans failure to recall and/or fix the issue when it is brought to their attention despite knowing that this is a prevalent issue on the year/make/model of this car. There lack of taking responsibility will cost someone their life.

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #83

Oct 012021

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Very hard to steer and check engine light come on after a very loud beep.

- Hampton, GA, USA

problem #82

Jun 252021

Altima

  • miles
Steering it-??s heavy A/C stop working it self Airbag check light on dashboard

- New York , NY, USA

problem #81

Mar 272018

Altima

  • 76,680 miles
On April 2018, I visit the Nissan del oeste at aguadilla pr to report noise in the power steering noise, no action was taken, they just said that was normal with all Nissan power steering pump. February 25, 2021 I contact Nissan del oeste at aguadilla pr and notify about the issue of the power steering noise and transmission noise. Appointment for March 2 2021 was set and I notify them with problem. They told me there was not any recall for power steering pump and cvt transmission. I did mention the recalls for 2013 Nissan Altima iaw NHTSA with ref.: ST12-009B, ref:ntbb-0176 andtsb ntb12-081. They inform at the voucher the mileage in and out, they did not took the car for a run of 6 miles like it says on voucher 48133S. The main concern is that the car could have any situation with one of those parts just mentioned during a drive and cause any accident with out having the control. My question is, if there is a malfunction for my 2013 Altima that is already knowledge by Nissan motor comp. And provide recalls why my have to be exclude? the power steering noise is at every moment when on and running, power steering fluid is good. The transmmision is during the driving with some noise after 20 miles drive on highway between 65 to 70 mph and then pressing the brake, the noise feel like it come from the transmmision. Another situation is ocaccionaly some lowt of power and some times accelerate. Brakes pads are good, brake fluid is good. My car mpg is 31.2 and mileage at this moment is 76,680.

- Aguadilla, PR, USA

problem #80

Mar 082021

Altima

  • 122,000 miles
When I get to 60 mph or above I get a terrible shaking in the steering wheel and feels like the wheel are shaking. Does not feel safe.

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #79

Feb 262021

Altima

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving my 2013 Nissan Altima on I95 at 60 mph in Connecticut the right lower rear control arm broke and sent the car swerving to the right. There was a lot of corrosion on the control arm. The other control arm was cracked and damaged the frame. Overall cost to repair including new tire and alignment over $2,000.

- North Haven, CT, USA

problem #78

Jul 032020

Altima 4-cyl

  • 123,204 miles
While driving on street, the gas pedal will no longer provide power to the car and begin to slow itself down. I will push on the breaks briefly and try the gas pedal to see if it works and it will take a few times before it does. While on the freeway the vehicle again, gas pedal would no longer provide power to the car and begin to slow itself down. This has now happened 8 separate times to the car. It will work for a few days and then do it again, with out notice. No check engine light goes on. Second issue is, the steering wheel will also feel extremely loose, not during the same time but when my speed is over 70 mph. Also, the check engine light nor any safety notices will go on. Lastly, the air bag light won't come off. The gas petal issue happened again on July 3th, 2020 and I decided to take it to get looked at. The dealer for a 5 point inspection and they found nothing wrong. I check the NHTSA website and it shows no recalls done. Does this mean they have not been completed?

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #77

May 262020

Altima 4-cyl

  • 5 miles
I was making a left turn and I heard a pop and pulled over and as I put it in park my traction control light came on so I went out to inspect what happened, checked the front normal, when to the rear noticed my driver side wheel is turned in, went under the car to look and noticed my rear lower control arm rusted and snapped off the bolt that connects it to the body.

- Hollis, NY, USA

problem #76

Mar 082020

Altima

  • miles
Last week I had a catastrophic failure of a rear control arm while driving 50 miles an hour costing me 700 dollars in repair with a used part as an emergency fix. Rear passenger side. Today after having by car back the drivers side rear control arm snapped this time while driving on a road in town at 25 miles an hour. These cars are certain to get someone killed if Nissan doesn't address them. I am furious and scared to drive this vehicle. I know thousands of complaints have been made. I need something done about this.

- Bethlehem, NH, USA

problem #75

Feb 232020

Altima

  • 119,000 miles
Driving down the road, hear a pop and get out to look, rear passenger control arm corroded to the point it is broken right off the center to which it was attached.

- Fiskdale, MA, USA

problem #74

Sep 012019

Altima

  • 80,000 miles
The contact's son owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the rear passenger side lower control arm fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who suggested that the driver's lower control arm also be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V490000 (steering and suspension). The contact was referred to NHTSA to file a complaint. The contact stated there were two open investigations regarding the rear suspension control arm (NHTSA action numbers: EA19002 (suspension) and PE18013 (suspension)). The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- New Bedford, MA, USA

problem #73

Nov 302019

Altima

  • 149,000 miles
I was driving straight on the highway at approximately 65 mph when the car started moving from side to side and was difficult to control. I exited the highway and had the car towed to my auto mechanic. The issue was a broken rear right control arm. The control arm completely rusted through and separated from the frame of the car.

- Braintree, MA, USA

problem #72

Nov 122019

Altima 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While driving 30 mph, the rear lower control arm fractured without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear lower control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 37861875. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle would need to be diagnosed by a dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 12V494000 (steering, suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Weymouth, MA, USA

problem #71

Oct 092019

Altima

  • 130,000 miles
Right rear lower control arm broke while driving 2013 Nissan Altima. This caused difficult handling of the vehicle. I was thankful to be driving on a residential road only traveling 25 mph.

- Andover, MN, USA

problem #70

Jul 022019

Altima

  • 99,000 miles
2013 Nissan Altima 4 door: I was driving the vehicle on a city street about 40 mph and heard this loud crunching noise and the vehicle started fish tailing. I parked the vehicle and had it looked at and the control arm in the back on the passenger side had completely snapped. I had to order a new one and also another for the other side because I heard if you replace one you should replace the other.

- Marietta, OH, USA

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